[Python] First Time Pitching a Real-World Project to My Bootcamp — Need Advice on How to...

I’m a student at Coding Temple (Python back-end specialization), and I’m about to pitch my first real-world project to my bootcamp for approval as part of our Tech Residency program. I could really use advice from anyone who’s been through something similar — whether you're a former student, mentor, or instructor.

Here’s the situation:

I’ve connected with a single mom who recently launched a small business, and I want to help her by building a full e-commerce website with a custom API for products, customers, and orders. I also want to turn this into a team project where 2–3 other students can collaborate — both for experience and to make the build stronger.

The mission is twofold:

Give students hands-on experience working with a real client in a team environment

Support someone in the community who’s trying to create a better future through entrepreneurship

Project Summary: Frontend: React or HTML/CSS/JS

Backend: Flask + SQLAlchemy

Database: MySQL

Auth: JWT

Payments: Stripe or PayPal

Features: Product listings, shopping cart, checkout, admin dashboard, and customer login

What I Need Advice On: Since this is my first time proposing a project like this, I want to make sure I present it the right way to the school so it has the best chance of being approved.

What should I include in the proposal? Should I provide wireframes, user stories, or a timeline? How do I show that this will benefit both the client and the students involved? What mistakes should I avoid as a first-time lead?

I’m also planning to involve the client in a lightweight way (getting feedback, reviewing milestones, etc.), but she’s non-technical, so I’m open to tips on managing that relationship too.

Any advice, templates, or stories from your own experience would be greatly appreciated. This project means a lot to me, and I want to do it justice.

Thanks in advance — Jose

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